1. What is Scratchpay?
Scratchpay is a healthcare financing company that specializes in payment plans for veterinary care. Founded by Scratch Financial, Inc. and headquartered in Pasadena, California, they've become one of the most popular pet financing options in the United States and Canada.
Unlike traditional credit cards such as CareCredit, Scratchpay offers installment loans rather than revolving credit. This means you apply for a specific loan amount (between $200 and $10,000), receive approval, and repay with fixed monthly payments over a set term of 12-36 months.
Scratchpay App
17,000+ Vets
Across US & Canada
78% Approved
Higher than industry avg
Instant Decision
Soft credit check
Who Should Consider Scratchpay?
Scratchpay may be a good fit for you if:
- You have a credit score of 580+ (or no credit with Take 5 plan)
- You need financing for a one-time veterinary expense
- You prefer fixed monthly payments over revolving credit
- You can pay off the balance within 6 months to avoid interest
2. Scratchpay Payment Plans & Options
Compare the three main financing options available through Scratchpay
Take 5 Plan
5 Bi-Weekly Payments
0% Interest Offer
If Paid in 6 Months
Standard Plan
12-36 Month Terms
Payment Example Calculator
*This is an example only. Your actual rate and payment will depend on your credit profile and the plan you select.
3. How Scratchpay Works
Three simple steps to get financing for your pet's care
Apply Online
Fill out a quick application in under 5 minutes. The soft credit check won't affect your credit score, so you can safely see what you qualify for.
Get Approved
Receive an instant decision on your application. If approved, review and accept the loan terms that work best for your budget.
Get Pet Care
Scratchpay pays your veterinarian directly. You make convenient fixed monthly payments according to your loan terms.
4. Scratchpay Pros & Cons
Our honest assessment after analyzing 1,403 customer reviews
Advantages
Pay no interest if you pay off the balance within 6 months - a great deal for those who can manage it
Much higher than traditional credit cards, making financing accessible to more pet owners
Checking your eligibility won't impact your credit score - apply risk-free
Pay off your loan early without any additional fees or charges
Take 5 plan available for those with poor or no credit history
Disadvantages
Rates can reach 36% APR for those with lower credit scores - read terms carefully
Miss the 0% promotional deadline and interest applies retroactively
Unlike CareCredit, you can't reuse the credit line - must apply for each expense
17,000 vets vs CareCredit's 275,000 - check if your vet accepts it first
Standard penalties apply for missed or late payments
5. Customer Reviews & Ratings
What real customers are saying about Scratchpay
Rating Distribution
Featured Customer Reviews
"Scratchpay was a lifesaver when my cat needed emergency surgery. I was approved instantly and the 0% interest for 6 months made it manageable. The whole process took less than 10 minutes."
"Easy application, fast approval. Used it for my dog's dental cleaning which was over $1,200. The app makes tracking payments simple and I've never had any issues."
"I've used Scratchpay three times now for both my dogs. They're always flexible with payments and customer service has been helpful whenever I had questions."
"Good overall experience. The interest rate was higher than I hoped since my credit isn't perfect (got 24% APR), but it helped when I really needed it for my pet's specialist visit."
Reviews sourced from Trustpilot. Individual results may vary.
6. Scratchpay vs CareCredit Comparison
How does Scratchpay stack up against the competition?
| Feature | Scratchpay | CareCredit |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Installment Loan | Credit Card |
| Loan Amount | $200 - $10,000 | Varies by credit |
| 0% Interest Period | 6 months | 6-24 months |
| Standard APR | 5.99% - 36% | 0% - 29.99% |
| Credit Check Type | Soft (No Impact) | Hard (Affects Score) |
| Minimum Credit Score | ~580 | ~620 |
| Reusable Credit | ||
| Provider Network | 17,000+ | 275,000+ |
| No Credit Check Option | Take 5 Plan | |
| Customer Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.4/5 | ★★★★☆ 4.2/5 |
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Scratchpay answered
Scratchpay generally requires a minimum credit score of around 580 for most payment plans. However, they offer a "Take 5" plan that doesn't require any credit check at all - just a 20% down payment. This makes Scratchpay significantly more accessible than traditional financing options like CareCredit, which typically require scores of 620 or higher for approval. The exact plan and interest rate you qualify for will depend on your individual credit profile.
No, checking your eligibility for Scratchpay does not hurt your credit score. They use a "soft" credit inquiry during the initial application process, which doesn't impact your score at all. This means you can safely check your options and see what rates you qualify for without any negative consequences. Only after you formally accept a loan offer and the account is opened will repayment activity be reported to credit bureaus, which can then positively or negatively affect your score based on your payment history.
Scratchpay offers 0% interest if you pay off your balance within the promotional period, typically 6 months. Here's exactly how it works: you must make all minimum monthly payments on time AND pay the full remaining balance before the promotional period ends. If you miss even one payment or don't pay in full by the deadline, standard APR rates (ranging from 5.99% to 36% depending on your credit) will apply to the remaining balance. It's essentially deferred interest, so budgeting to pay it off in time is crucial to getting the best value.
Yes, Scratchpay is a legitimate company. They're operated by Scratch Financial, Inc., headquartered in Pasadena, California. The company is registered with NMLS (ID# 1582666) and loans in the United States are issued through WebBank, a regulated financial institution. Scratchpay has been in business for several years, has partnered with over 17,000 veterinary practices, and has a 4.4/5 rating on Trustpilot based on more than 1,400 customer reviews. They use bank-level 256-bit encryption to protect your personal and financial information.
Scratchpay can only be used at participating veterinary practices - currently over 17,000 locations across the US and Canada. Unlike a regular credit card, it's specifically designed for healthcare providers who have partnered with Scratchpay. Before scheduling an appointment, you should verify your vet accepts Scratchpay by using the provider locator on their website or simply calling ahead. If your preferred vet doesn't accept Scratchpay, you can suggest they sign up, or consider alternative financing options like CareCredit which has a larger network.
Yes, Scratchpay has no prepayment penalties whatsoever. You can pay off your loan early at any time without any additional fees or charges. In fact, paying off early is highly recommended if you're on a promotional 0% interest plan - it ensures you don't get hit with deferred interest charges. Many savvy customers specifically budget to pay off their balance within the 6-month promotional window to avoid any interest charges entirely. You can make extra payments or pay the full balance at any time through the Scratchpay app or website.
The main differences are: Scratchpay offers one-time installment loans while CareCredit is a reusable credit card. Scratchpay has easier approval requirements (soft credit check, ~580 minimum score) while CareCredit requires a hard credit check and typically needs a 620+ score. CareCredit offers longer 0% promotional periods (up to 24 months vs 6 months) and is accepted at significantly more locations (275,000+ vs 17,000+). Scratchpay has a unique "Take 5" plan with no credit check option. Choose Scratchpay for easier approval and one-time expenses; choose CareCredit for reusable credit and more provider options.
8. Final Verdict: Is Scratchpay Worth It?
Recommended for Most Pet Owners
After analyzing 1,403 customer reviews and comparing all payment options, we believe Scratchpay is a solid choice for pet owners who need financing for veterinary bills. The high approval rate (78%), soft credit check, and 0% interest option make it accessible and affordable for many situations.
However, be aware of the deferred interest trap - make sure you can pay off within 6 months to avoid interest charges. And if you anticipate multiple vet visits, CareCredit's reusable credit line might be more practical.
Our Ratings
Best For
- ✓ Credit scores 580-650
- ✓ One-time vet emergencies
- ✓ Those who can pay in 6 months
- ✓ Pet owners at partner vets
- ✓ No credit history (Take 5)
Not Ideal For
- ✗ Frequent vet visits (get CareCredit)
- ✗ Can't pay off in 6 months
- ✗ Vet doesn't accept Scratchpay
- ✗ Need more than $10,000
- ✗ Want reusable credit line
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